Surah
Juz
Abdullah bin Masud, a renowned companion of the Prophet ﷺ, noted that this Surah must have been revealed after the verses in Surah 2: al-Baqarah, where instructions regarding divorce were first provided. The content of the Surah itself supports this observation.
The Quran outlines specific guidelines regarding divorce and waiting periods for women. For instance, a woman who has been divorced must wait for three menstrual cycles before she can remarry. During this waiting period, she cannot conceal if she is pregnant. Additionally, the Quran emphasises the husband's right to reconcile with his wife during this waiting period if both parties are willing. Furthermore, the Quran stipulates that a man can divorce his wife twice before deciding whether to reconcile or release her with kindness. However, if he divorces her a third time, she cannot remarry him unless she marries another man and that marriage ends in divorce. These regulations aim to ensure that divorce is not taken lightly and encourages reconciliation whenever possible. Moreover, if a man divorces a woman before they have consummated their marriage, there is no waiting period for her to remarry. On the other hand, if a husband passes away, his wife must observe a waiting period of four months and ten days before considering remarriage. It's important to note that while these rules are outlined in the Quran, the Surah in question does not seek to change or amend them. Instead, it serves two primary purposes. Firstly, it advises men to exercise wisdom and restraint when considering divorce, highlighting that divorce should only be pursued as a last resort after all attempts at reconciliation have failed. This aligns with the Islamic belief that divorce is a disliked action, as stated by the Prophet Muhammad. Secondly, the Surah addresses specific questions that were not covered in previous revelations, such as the waiting period for women who are no longer menstruating or who are pregnant at the time of divorce. Additionally, it discusses arrangements for the care and maintenance of divorced women and their children, emphasising the importance of compassion and support within the community.
